Coast Guard medevacs passenger from cruise ship Diamond Princess

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka aircrew medevaced a female passenger from a cruise ship in Frederick Sound, north of Admiralty Island, Alaska, Tuesday.

The 17th Coast Guard District Command Center received a request at 1:39 a.m. for a medevac from the cruise ship Diamond Princess for an 81-year-old female, showing signs of a possible blocked artery in her right leg. After a second medical exam, conducted by the cruise ship medical personnel, showed no signs of improvement, the command center watchstanders directed the launch of the Sitka-based MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew.

The helicopter crew arrived on scene with the cruise ship at 4:28 a.m. where they safely hoisted the women from the ship. The aircrew then transported her to Juneau where she was transferred at 5:11 a.m. to a Guardian Flight to Seattle for advanced medical care.

“This case went very smooth and quick,” said Adam De Rocher, 17th District watchstander. “Communications with the ship crew and good weather all worked together to help facilitate a quick and successful rescue effort, allowing our crew to safely deliver the patient to Juneau for further transportation to Seattle and medical care there.”